Lord B. was very much surprised. He wished for an explanation; he bowedwith _hauteur_. Everybody appeared to be in a false position; even he,Lord B., somehow or another had bowed to a smuggler.

Pickersgill and Stewart went on deck, walking up and down, crossing eachother without speaking, but reminding you of two dogs who both areanxious to fight, but have been restrained by the voice of theirmasters. Corbett followed, and talked in a low tone to Pickersgill;Stewart went over to leeward to see if the boat was still alongside, butit had long before returned to the yacht. Miss Ossulton had heard herbrother's voice, but did not come out of the after-cabin; she wished tobe magnificent and, at the same time, she was not sure whether all wasright, Phoebe having informed her that there was nobody with her brotherand Mr Stewart, and that the smugglers still had the command of thevessel. After a while, Pickersgill and Corbett went down forward, andreturned dressed in the smuggler's clothes, when they resumed their walkon the deck.

In the mean time, it was dark; the cutter flew along the coast; and theNeedles' lights were on the larboard bow. The conversation betweenCecilia, Mrs Lascelles, and her father, was long. When all had beendetailed, and the conduct of Pickersgill duly represented, Lord B.acknowledged that, by attacking the smuggler, he had laid himself opento retaliation; that Pickersgill had shown a great deal of forbearancein every instance; and, after all, had he not gone on board the yachtshe might have been lost, with only three seamen on board. He was amusedwith the smuggling and the fright of his sister; still more with thegentlemen being sent to Cherbourg, and much consoled that he was not theonly one to be laughed at. He was also much pleased with Pickersgill'sintention of leaving the yacht safe in Cowes harbour, his respect to theproperty on board, and his conduct to the ladies. On the whole, he feltgrateful to Pickersgill; and where there is gratitude there is alwaysgood will.

"But who can he be?" said Mrs Lascelles; "his name he acknowledges notto be Pickersgill; and he told me confidentially that he was of goodfamily."

"Confidentially, my dear Mrs Lascelles!" said Lord B.

"Oh, yes! we are both his confidants. Are we not, Cecilia?"

"Upon my honour, Mrs Lascelles, this smuggler appears to have made animpression which many have attempted in vain."

Mrs Lascelles did not reply to that remark, but said, "Now, my lord, youmust decide--and I trust you will to oblige us--treat him as he hastreated us, with the greatest respect and kindness."

"Why should you suppose otherwise?" replied Lord B.; "it is not only mywish but my interest so to do. He may take us over to France to-night,or anywhere else. Has he not possession of the vessel?"

"Yes," replied Cecilia; "but we flatter ourselves that we have _thecommand_. Shall we call him down, papa?"

"Ring for Maddox. Maddox, tell Mr Pickersgill, who is on deck, that Iwish to speak with him, and shall be obliged by his stepping down intothe cabin."

"Who, my lord? What? _Him_?"

"Yes, _him_," replied Cecilia, laughing.

"Must I call him, my lord, now, miss?"

"You may do as you please, Maddox; but recollect, he is still inpossession of the vessel," replied Cecilia.

"Then, with your lordship's permission, I will; it's the safest way."

The smuggler entered the cabin; the ladies started as he appeared in hisrough costume, with his throat open, and his loose black handkerchief.He was the _beau ideal_ of a handsome sailor.

"Your lordship wishes to communicate with me?"

"Mr Pickersgill, I feel that you have had cause of enmity against me,and that you have behaved with forbearance. I thank you for yourconsiderate treatment of the ladies; and I assure you, that I feel noresentment for what has passed."

"My lord, I am quite satisfied with what you have said; and I only hopethat, in future, you will not interfere with a poor smuggler, who may bestriving, by a life of danger and privation, to procure subsistence forhimself and, perhaps, his family. I stated to these ladies my intentionof anchoring the yacht this night at Cowes, and leaving her as soon asshe was in safety. Your unexpected presence will only make thisdifference, which is, that I must previously obtain your lordship'sassurance that those with you will allow me and my men to quit herwithout molestation, after we have performed this service."

"I pledge you my word, Mr Pickersgill, and I thank you into the bargain.I trust you will allow me to offer some remuneration."

"Most certainly not, my lord."

"At all events, Mr Pickersgill, if, at any other time, I can be ofservice, you may command me."

Pickersgill made no reply.

"Surely, Mr Pickersgill,--"

"Pickersgill! how I hate that name!" said the smuggler, musing. "I begyour lordship's pardon--if I may require your assistance for any of myunfortunate companions--"

The ladies went upon deck. Cecilia entered into conversation with MrStewart, giving him a narrative of what had happened. Mrs Lascelles satabaft at the taffrail, with her pretty hand supporting her cheek,looking very much _a la Juliette_.

"Mrs Lascelles," said Pickersgill, "before we part, allow me to observe,that it is _you_ who have induced me to give up my profession--"

"Why me, Mr Pickersgill?"

"You said that you did not like it."

Mrs Lascelles felt the force of the compliment. "You said, just now,that you hated the name of Pickersgill: why do you call yourself so?"

"It was my smuggling name, Mrs Lascelles."

"And now, that you have left off smuggling, pray what may be the name weare to call you by?"

"I cannot resume it till I have not only left this vessel, but shakenhands with, and bid farewell to, my companions; and by that time, MrsLascelles, I shall be away from you."

"But I've a great curiosity to know it, and a lady's curiosity must begratified. You must call upon me some day, and tell it me. Here is myaddress."

Pickersgill received the card with a low bow: and Lord B. coming ondeck, Mrs Lascelles hastened to meet him.

The vessel was now passing the Bridge at the Needles, and the smugglerpiloted her on. As soon as they were clear and well inside, the wholeparty went down into the cabin, Lord B. requesting Pickersgill andCorbett to join him in a parting glass. Mr Stewart, who had received theaccount of what had passed from Cecilia, was very attentive toPickersgill, and took an opportunity of saying, that he was sorry thathe had said or done anything to annoy him. Every one recovered hisspirits; and all was good humour and mirth, because Miss Ossultonadhered to her resolution of not quitting the cabin till she could quitthe yacht. At ten o'clock the yacht was anchored. Pickersgill took hisleave of the honourable company, and went in his boat with his men; andLord B. was again in possession of his vessel, although he had not aship's company. Maddox recovered his usual tone; and the cook flourishedhis knife, swearing that he should like to see the smuggler who wouldagain order him to dress cutlets _a l'ombre Chinoise_.

The yacht had remained three days at Cowes, when Lord B. received aletter from Pickersgill, stating that the men of his vessel had beencaptured, and would be condemned, in consequence of their having thegentlemen on board, who were bound to appear against them, to prove thatthey had sunk the brandy. Lord B. paid all the recognisances, and themen were liberated for want of evidence.

It was about two years after this that Cecilia Ossulton, who was sittingat her work-table in deep mourning for her aunt, was presented with aletter by the butler. It was from her friend Mrs Lascelles, informingher that she was married again to a Mr Davenant, and intended to pay hera short visit on her way to the Continent. Mr and Mrs Davenant arrivedthe next day; and when the latter introduced her husband, she said toMiss Ossulton, "Look, Cecilia, dear, and tell me if you have ever seenDavenant before."

Cecilia looked earnestly: "I have, indeed," cried she at last, extendingher hand with warmth; "and happy am I to meet with him again."

For in Mr Davenant she recognised her old acquaintance, the captain ofthe _Happy-go-lucky_, Jack Pickersgill, the smuggler.